According to Wccftech, Bethesda Game Studios has surprise-launched a native version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2. The new version, which takes “full advantage” of the hardware including NVIDIA DLSS support, is available now for $59.99 for new users. Existing owners of the original Nintendo Switch version, which was rated in May 2022 and launched in September 2022, can upgrade to this enhanced edition for free. The package includes the base game, the Hearthfire, Dawnguard, and Dragonborn expansions, and a suite of Creation Club content, though the Creation Club menu itself is not supported on Nintendo consoles. It also retains the three exclusive Zelda-themed items: the Master Sword, Hylian Shield, and Champion’s Tunic. This follows recent comments from Bethesda’s Todd Howard that The Elder Scrolls VI is still “a long way off” and won’t arrive until after GTA VI, pointing to a 2027 release at the earliest.
The Switch 2 tech leap
So, what does “taking full advantage” of the Switch 2 hardware actually mean here? The big headline is native support for NVIDIA DLSS. That’s a game-changer for a portable console. Basically, the game can render at a lower internal resolution and then use AI-powered upscaling to hit a higher, cleaner output resolution without murdering the battery or the frame rate. It’s the secret sauce for getting a 13-year-old game looking surprisingly sharp on a modern handheld. And let’s be honest, Skyrim on the original Switch was a minor miracle, but it was definitely a compromise. This should feel like a proper, modern port.
The free upgrade catch
Now, the free upgrade path is a fantastic consumer-friendly move. But here’s the thing: it highlights the weird, fragmented state of Skyrim releases. You’ve got the original 2011 version, the Special Edition, the Anniversary Edition, and now this specific Switch 2-native Anniversary Edition. For Switch owners, it’s simple—you get the better version. For the rest of us, it’s a reminder of how Bethesda has mastered the art of re-releasing this single game. The content itself is identical to the Anniversary Edition that hit PC, PlayStation, and Xbox back on November 11, 2021. No new quests, no new features. The upgrade is purely about harnessing new silicon.
What’s missing and why
It’s interesting to note the one thing that isn’t carried over: the Creation Club menu. On other platforms, this is a built-in mod store. On Nintendo consoles, it’s a no-go. This isn’t a Bethesda choice; it’s a Nintendo policy. Nintendo’s walled garden has always been hesitant about user-generated content that it doesn’t directly control. So, you get the pre-packaged Creations but no ability to browse or buy new ones in-game. It’s a limitation, but given Nintendo’s stance, it was probably the only way to get any of that content on the platform at all. You take what you can get.
A stopgap until Elder Scrolls VI
Let’s be real. This launch is a clever bit of business. The Switch 2 is the hot new hardware, and Bethesda is putting a graphically enhanced version of its most reliably selling game right in front of a massive new audience. It’s low-effort (for them) and high-reward. And it perfectly fills the gap while we all wait an eternity for The Elder Scrolls VI. When Todd Howard says it’s “a long way off” and confirms it’s landing after GTA VI, you know you’re in for a wait. 2027? 2028? At this point, Skyrim on every new device is just a tradition. A profitable, slightly amusing tradition. So, grab your Hylian Shield on the go, again. It’s going to be a while before you need it for anything new from Tamriel.
